CCA also recommends the following reports and documents

This illustrated presentation examines how VET can promote and leverage Australian regional and rural economic development and community capacity. What can VET do? With VET participation rates more than 50% higher outside cities, Australian regional providers have developed innovative and sustainable approaches. Read especially pages 12 (“Regional and Rural VET Challenges’) and 13 (“Principles for Innovative Rural and Regional VET Programs”). It was used in three “roundtable” discussions at the TAFE Directors Australia conference in Adelaide on 7 September 2017.

This detailed research report finds that not-for-profit community-based VET providers can play a disproportionate role in rural and regional Australia, educating more than 10% of VET students in New South Wales and 20% in Victoria. The report examines the role of community providers in regional and rural Australia, including examples of ‘bottom-up’ innovative community-based approaches. It presents the concept that community providers can be “passing gear” vehicles, accelerating new ideas through innovation and helping regions to prosper.

This illustrated report uses Australian Bureau of Statistics data to examine business growth in regional Australia. This report – one of a series undertaken for NBN – show that there are increasing numbers of local “start-ups” (1-4 employees) in the Northern Rivers area (the location of CCA’s first economic development forum), in part due to the region’s increased connectivity through access to fast broadband. Bernard Salt is a demographer, newspaper columnist and acclaimed commentator about the economic, social and cultural changes occurring in Australia.

The Mallee Regional Skills Demand Profile is an outcome of the Regional Skills Taskforce – Mallee Region. Comprising prominent Mallee business leaders, the Taskforce was established in May 2017 and chaired by the Victorian Skills Commissioner, Mr Neil Coulson. The Taskforce aimed to better understand local skills shortages, where local investment is being made, existing and future workforce training needs, and what skills will be required for local Mallee students, jobseekers and the workforce more broadly.

Technological and societal developments and growing concerns about climate change, environmental degradation and scarcity of resources are changing the nature of work. These developments demand that TVET develop skills and provide knowledge to ease transitions to green economies and societies.

Kangaroo Island is the third largest Island in Australia and one of the top four tourism destinations in this country that boasts unspoiled nature, immersive natural experiences, purity and quality of food and wine and sustainable development.

Kangaroo Island is in the midst of economic transition, with more than $171 million of proposed and announced projects planned for the Island over the next 3-5 years and an estimated 300 new jobs connected to this growth. There are ‘knock on’ growth and expansion opportunities for current businesses on the Island across many industries. This period of high economic activity is positioning Kangaroo Island as an ideal place to invest or expand. The variety of industries active on the Island paired with KI’s pristine environment could give rise to a wealth of research, innovation and education opportunities.

Community Colleges Australia Conference Dinner and Prize-Giving 19 October 2016

Kate Ellis MP video message at CCA Conference 20 October2016

CCA Dinner Guest Speaker Phil Umbridge from Texas

In this video, shot at the Community Colleges Australia (CCA) Gala Dinner at Dockside Darling Harbour in Sydney on 19 October 2016, guest speaker Phil Umbridge from Texas speaks. He is introduced by CCA CEO Don Perlgut.

Interview with The Hon John Barilaro MP, NSW Minister for Skills, about NSW community colleges, 19 October 2016. Interviewer: Ted Nabung, CEO of Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Community College (audio, 12.24 mins)

Program Producers:

Ellen Leabeater has been working with audio for over eight years, as a producer and presenter. She has previously worked for the ABC and Buzzfeed, and currently works for 2SER 107.3 making a History Lab as well as producing The Hatch podcast for the UTS Hatchery. She also works as a freelance producer for Heaps Good Media.

Miles Martignoni is Guardian Australia's podcast producer and is the founder of Heaps Good Media. Miles has taught audio production and journalism at Macquarie, Sydney and Wollongong Universities. Past clients include Radio National, City of Sydney, the WWF, Fairfax, the NRL, The Cancer Council and Sydney Festival.

For more information, please email us at admin@cca.edu.au

Ty Wiggins (podcast series advisor) has experience in the financial, recruitment, education, real estate and sporting industries. A Principal of Converge Consulting, he has held senior management roles, sat on senior boards and worked frontline in large and small organisations. His focus is on leadership transition coaching and consulting, and strategy consulting, facilitation and consulting.

Ty is currently completing his doctorate on Leadership Transitions. In the first study of its kind in Australia. He holds a Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology), Master of Business Coaching and Master of Business Administration (Distinction).

Katherine Sainty is an experienced corporate and commercial lawyer and founder of Sainty Law, a progressive commercial law firm specialising in digital, technology and data protection law. A partner at Allens for 10 years, Katherine gained significant experience advising clients from major technology, internet and media companies as well as government departments and agencies. Katherine has been recognised in Chambers Global, The World’s Leading Lawyers, as pre-eminent in her field. Katherine holds a Master of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce, Accounting and Finance. She is a member of the Law Society of NSW Privacy and Communications Committee, the Chair of the Law Council of Australia Media and Communications Committee, Chair of the Film Exhibition and Distribution Code Administration Committee and Treasurer of the International Association of Privacy Professionals ANZ.

Michael Newton has had a diverse career in marketing and advertising and as an archaeologist and tutor. He joined WEA Sydney as Education Manager, overseeing a program that continues to deliver 1,200 educational activities to 15,000 fee-paying enrolled students each year. He was appointed Executive Director of WEA Sydney in 2008, with primary responsibility for overall college management, finances, strategy and planning, staff, and liaison with WEA’s governing Board of Directors.

David Knowles is a Partner at Koda where he heads the Philanthropic & Social Capital team. Over 28 years David has worked for Coutts, Merrill Lynch, Perpetual and JBWere, where he was Managing Director and Head of Philanthropic Services. David is a member of the Centre for Social Impact’s advisory council, the editorial advisory board of Generosity magazine, Raise Foundation’s Patron’s Advisory Council and a Director of the charity BoardConnect. He has completed the Governing for Non-Profit Excellence course at Harvard Business School and studied non-profit governance at the AICD.

Theresa Collignon has been CEO of Macquarie Community College since February 2015, bringing more than 20 years of local and international not-for-profit education experience, including Executive Director of TAFE National Scholarships Foundation; NSW Region Manager, The Smith Family; Chief Executive, AFS Student Exchange Australia; Vice President, AFS-USA; Manager, Training Division and GM, NSW Division of Securities Institute of Australia; and Associate Director, MBA Program, Australian Graduate School of Management. She has served since 2009 as a Director of SDN Children’s Services, including two years as Board Chair. Her qualifications include an MBA, Diploma in Financial Markets, Bachelor of Commerce and a Graduate of the AICD Company Director’s Course.

Phil Butler is the Not-for-Profit Sector Leader for the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), based in Canberra. He worked with the Institute of Chartered Accountants before taking on the ACT State Manager with AICD. The AICD Not-for-Profit project supports organisations in the NFP sector to achieve their missions through ongoing improvements in governance and to build greater awareness of the contribution of NFP directors and support their ongoing professional development. Phil is a Graduate of the Company Directors Course and a member of CPA Australia. He has been on a range of boards of NFP and government organisations and currently is a Director of Alzheimer’s Australia ACT.

David Martin is the CEO of Western Riverina Community College (Griffith NSW), and a past Chair, Deputy Chair and Director of Community Colleges Australia (CCA). He also is a previous Secretary and Director of Community Colleges NSW (CCNSW). David holds qualifications in agriculture, business management, accounting and a Bachelor of Adult Learning and Development, and is currently completing a Masters in Education (Monash). David is passionate about community development and currently holds executive positions on various not-for-profit community business and sporting organisations. He received recognition for his contributions to the community from the Governor General for his involvement in the Scouting movement and the ACT and the Australian Rugby Union for contributions to community rugby.

Patricia Carroll has 30 years experience in managerial and Board positions in Industry, TAFE, adult and community education, private equity companies, church and community organisations. Patricia is the CEO of St George & Sutherland Community College (SGSCC), and a current member of the Sutherland Shire Economic Development Committee. SGSCC is one of the largest adult education providers in New South Wales, is a provider under the NDIS, has won state and national awards for its programs and recognition in the St George and Sutherland Shire Business Awards. She was a founding Director of Community Colleges Australia (CCA) and a representative of CCA on the Education Network of UNESCO. A graduate of the University of Sydney, she has also been a finalist in NSW Telstra 2000 Business Woman of the Year Awards.